I'm raising a fox fairy wife in Tokyo

It's so cold.

This was the girl's first thought, followed by a terrifying darkness descending, making her realize that everything was disappearing.

Until.

Kaguya Shinomiya suddenly wakes up to find herself standing on the edge of a lake.

……

The clear lake water appears almost transparent on summer nights.

A cool summer breeze gently swept by.

Beside her were Shijou Maki, who had also just woken up, and Fujiwara Chika.

This is……

Is the "tourism" over?

Kaguya Shinomiya was still somewhat dazed.

but no matter……

"Leave first."

The girl made this suggestion, and then the three of them gathered together and walked out along the stone path in the mountains.

Why do these people commit suicide?

Shijo Maki suddenly asked.

"Because of the greater good!"

Fujiwara Chika's answer is the standard answer from history textbooks.

Hachioji Castle belonged to the Hojo clan during the Battle of Odawara. After it was captured by the Toyotomi army, the old, weak, women and children in the castle were relatives of the many soldiers who had defended Odawara Castle.

That might be used as a threat.

Moreover, given the practices at the time, it was highly likely that he would be escorted to the battlefield of Odawara Castle and executed in front of the enemy's family.

This is a common practice to lower the morale of the enemy's defenders.

In that case, I might as well commit suicide.

"Ah... how tragic! Although the Hojo clan ultimately lost and perished, this is the tragic romance unique to history..."

As the daughter of a politician.

In this regard, Fujiwara Chika always seems quite "sensitive".

And to this.

In Kaguya Shinomiya's mind, only the girl's last words still echoed.

Please don't forget us.

This is her.

Is this your last and only request?

Meaning has become irrelevant over time; everything has passed.

Even so, please don't forget us.

"..."

The girl came back to her senses.

The summer night crept deep into the mountains and forests, but strangely, the mountain path did not seem difficult to walk on; in fact, it appeared quite clear and bright in front of one's eyes.

Suddenly.

Kaguya Shinomiya, who was looking down at the road, noticed a woman carrying a lantern beside her, who seemed to be walking with her.

"Welcome to visit again next time, Kaguya-san!"

A familiar voice suddenly entered the girl's ears.

Kaguya Shinomiya quickly raised her head.

I could vaguely see that gentle yet strong woman.

"Kaguya! What are you doing? Come on!!"

Before we knew it, we had left the ruins of Hachioji Castle.

Under the streetlights in the distance.

Between the benches was the boy's languid figure, covered in blood but looking utterly exhausted.

A blonde girl rushed towards him.

"Miss Kaguya, are you alright?"

"Ah... I'm fine, Hayasaka."

Kaguya Shinomiya turned around and, in the darkness of the mountain forest, she indeed saw the familiar figures of women waving goodbye to her.

Chapter Thirty-One: Isn't this a marriage proposal?!

So this is what they call a new job?

Late at night.

Back at the shrine, Kaguya Shinomiya lay in her warm bedding, still unable to shake off the memories she had just had.

[Takagawa is such a kind person. Although he always seems unreliable, he's actually the kind of person who quietly gets things done and is very considerate of others' feelings.]

I feel a warm feeling inside.

Thinking back to my childhood makes those dark memories seem less terrible.

in contrast.

I feel very safe.

Thinking this, sleepiness suddenly overcame her, and Kaguya Shinomiya suddenly woke up.

It was already noon on the second day...

……

The clear chirping of birds came from outside the window.

The sun was blazing.

It landed inside the house.

There was a soft knock on the door, and the boy's voice could be heard.

"Are you up yet? Time for lunch."

"understood."

Kaguya Shinomiya responded, then noticed that Chika Fujiwara, who was sleeping poorly, had kicked off her blanket and rolled over to Maki Shijou on the other side.

Meanwhile, the proud and aloof girl was rubbing her eyes, still a little drowsy.

What about Hayasaka?

Hayasaka Ai has woken up.

When Kaguya Shinomiya woke the two girls up, and they finished washing up and came to the living room...

Just then, I saw Hayasaka Ai, wearing a pure white short-sleeved T-shirt, busy setting out bowls and chopsticks for everyone at the long table.

The girl's slender legs were completely bare.

It was completely hidden by the wide hem of the short-sleeved shirt.

This guy isn't wearing pants?!

That's so embarrassing!!

Looking at her maid in disbelief, Kaguya Shinomiya then realized that Hayasaka Ai was actually wearing safety shorts when she bent over.

Even so, it's still quite embarrassing!

Obscene!

The girl herself was now wearing pink pajamas and pajama bottoms, all wrinkled and completely lacking in any aesthetic appeal, a world apart from her maid.

"Have you washed your hands, Miss Kaguya?"

"Ah."

"Let's eat then. Today... ah... Takagawa-kun said we should all eat together."

There are still some things I'm not used to.

after all.

At home, Kaguya Shinomiya always eats alone, while maids like Ai Hayasaka can only squat in the stairwell to eat yakisoba bread bought from the convenience store (not really).

"Eh?!"

Can we have dinner together?

and……

"Wow!! Hamburger patties! And pork knuckle!! Chinese food: braised pork belly, mapo tofu!! Fried egg, octopus sausage, pork chop, fried chicken!!!"

What about vegetables?

There seemed to be almost no vegetables, only stir-fried greens and radish and pork rib soup placed to the side, which also appeared to be Chinese cuisine.

That's awesome!

Just smelling the aroma of the food made Fujiwara Chika's stomach rumble.

There are so many delicious things to eat!

Shijo Maki, who was standing to the side, had already sat down, her face showing that she was ready to start at any moment.

"As long as it suits my taste, that's fine. I didn't have anything to do today, so I just cooked the meal myself and didn't ask Chizuru to help me."

Chinese cuisine and the like.

Of course I made it myself; the big fox wouldn't know how to do that.

"Huh?! Takagawa's cooking is that good?!"

"It's alright. Chizuru usually cooks, but I cook sometimes too."

"Waaaaah, please come to my house and be my chef, please! I'll do anything."

Fujiwara Chika, who had secretly taken a bite of the braised pork, was on the verge of tears.

And the other side.

Kaguya Shinomiya certainly knows what Chinese cuisine is.

but.

The Shinomiya family has very strict family rules, and lunch is always made up of the best "dietary balance" and "fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables".

It was also a chef's dish, so it was delicious.

However, people are picky eaters, and there are things they just don't like to eat.

And now, lunch.

They practically brought out everything I wanted to eat all at once, this is just...

It's so dreamy!!

"Let's eat. Don't be so reserved. There's plenty of food, and it'll all be on your tab anyway."

"I'd give Takagawa-kun a million yen for such delicious lunches every day! No, two million yen!!"

"Really? Then becoming a chef seems like a better option."

"Come to our house, please, Eugene!"

Don't talk while eating.